Suns Rally in Finale to Best Blue Wahoos 7-6
April 23, 2014 - Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release
JACKSONVILLE, FL - The Jacksonville Suns (10-10) rallied to tie the game with a four-run seventh inning and got a game-winning solo home run from Rich Poythress in the bottom of the eighth to give Jacksonville a 7-6 victory over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (8-12) Wednesday afternoon.
Hear manager Andy Barkett's postgame comments here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?vWIRKi7pu7H8
The Suns entered the bottom of the seventh inning trailing 6-2 but would mount a furious comeback to tie up the ballgame thanks to two-run base hits off the bats of Alex Burg and Austin Nola in the seventh.
With the game tied at 6-6 with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, Rich Poythress (HR, 2) gave the Suns the lead for good with a solo home run to left to put Jacksonville on top 7-6.
With the win, Jacksonville emerged victorious in four of the five games played this series.
Suns starter Jose Urena left in line for the loss but took a no decision after allowing six runs (all earned) on nine hits in five innings of work, striking out four Blue Wahoos while not walking a batter in the process.
After facing the minimum nine batters through his first three innings, five of the six runs Urena allowed on Wednesday would come via the home run, including a three-run blast from Travis Mattair (HR, 2) in the top of the fourth, and a two-run shot off the bat of Rey Navarro (HR, 5) in the top of the fifth to give him the Southern League lead in home runs.
The Suns received a brilliant relief effort from James Nygren, who pitched scoreless sixth and seventh innings to keep the Blue Wahoos' lead to four runs, while Nick Wittgren (W, 1-0) earned the win by not allowing a run in either of the final two innings of Wednesday's contest.
Michael Lorenzen left in line for the victory but took a no decision after allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits in his five innings of action. He'd also walk a pair of batters, while finishing with five strikeouts.
Daniel Renken allowed the Suns to draw closer, coughing up three runs (all earned) in his inning of work, while Drew Hayes (BS, 2) blew the save after allowing a run in the one inning he'd throw.
Tim Adleman (L, 0-1) took the loss for Pensacola after allowing the go-ahead home run to Poythress in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Four Suns had two-hit ballgames, including Alex Burg, Austin Nola, Rich Poythress and Alfredo Silverio.
The Suns will welcome the Montgomery Biscuits to town for a five-game series starting tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. ET at Bragan Field. Jacksonville will send out right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (3-1, 4.32) to the mound on Thursday night, and he's due to be countered by Biscuits righty Victor Mateo (2-2, 4.43).
Suns fans can listen to Thursday's game on the Suns Baseball Network, 94.1 WSOS-FM or throughwww.jaxsuns.com, MiLB.com or the Suns iPhone or Android app, beginning at 6:50 p.m. ET with the Memorial Hospital Suns Pregame Show.
The 2014 season of Suns baseball is presented by EverBank, the official banking partner of the Jacksonville Suns. Sponsorships, group outings, and season / individual game tickets are currently available by calling the Suns front office at (904) 358-2846.
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